I ended up getting a refurbished D5100 with a 40mm 2.8 maco lens that also shoots non-macro for a total of about 770$.

Of course, looking into the future now, it seems upgrading to a full frame would be cheaper with canon, but the price difference between a Nikon D700 and Canon EOS 5D Mark II is not much. It's the megapixel difference that is what is bugging me I guess.

It sucks that no matter how much research I do on something, I always learn more after the fact.

No matter, I might find the d5100 is adequate without needing to upgrade. We'll see.

According to that, 10MP is very adequate to print 11"x14" at best quality. I've read that some people think 12 is a good enough number.

I plan on sticking with my T2i for a long time and learning the ins and outs with it, and while a full frame would be nice to have, I'm no pro. I've even seen people take some outstanding shots using what I used to use, the Fujifilm Finepix S1000fd, that just made me go, 'wait? what? HOW?!'. Well, with the T2i, I plan on actually learning how.

The Fuji also had a static lens, so that was a major reason I upgraded.

@Tako
Congratulations on the new camera, and Vaskania is right, so don't get sucked into the megapixel race - it's a fools game!

@Vaskania
Same here, no intention of parting with this camera any time soon, in fact never. Until they bring out some radical new sensor technology, I think the sweet-spot has already been reached, and I feel we already have it with 18 megapixel on APS-C.

@Tako
Congratulations on the new camera, and Vaskania is right, so don't get sucked into the megapixel race - it's a fools game!

Thanks for the support. :)

Yeah, maybe the D5100 will be just fine. I'd like to be able to sell prints, but it appears I will need to work out a lot of other things in addition to the camera to be able to sell them in a practical manner.

The D5100 should be fine, I've had three Nikon DSLR's (D40, D60, D90), and it might surprise you to know that out of the three, the D40 was by far my favourite even though it was by far the cheapest. Price and model position means nothing with cameras in real terms.

Don't worry about the camera.

Selling prints, I'm no expert but I think that's going to be more a of a challenge than you had deciding on the camera, put it that way! I've never tried to sell a print or any form of art, but if did, I think I'd research into what is the most popular online store for prints, learn my way around it, and stick to it. At least until I learned more about which sites deal more specifically in the sort of stuff I wanted to sell.

The D5100 should be fine, I've had three Nikon DSLR's (D40, D60, D90), and it might surprise you to know that out of the three, the D40 was by far my favourite even though it was by far the cheapest. Price and model position means nothing with cameras in real terms.

Don't worry about the camera.

Selling prints, I'm no expert but I think that's going to be more a of a challenge than you had deciding on the camera, put it that way! I've never tried to sell a print or any form of art, but if did, I think I'd research into what is the most popular online store for prints, learn my way around it, and stick to it. At least until I learned more about which sites deal more specifically in the sort of stuff I wanted to sell.

Good to know on the camera. Thanks!

For selling prints, I think I would have more luck selling at art shows or conventions with a similar theme to my work. Of course, I may just move to Oregon since they don't have sales tax there apparently. (I hate the paperwork.) Of course, they have state income tax which Florida does not, so I suppose I'm damned if I do, damned if I don't.

But theoretically, if it was profitable enough, I would be willing to get a truck and tent, racks, the whole shabang if it meant I could quit my day job. I'm sure I would need to do a lot of shows even if it were profitable though.

In practical terms, even getting started would require quite an investment so I'm probably better off sticking to selling 3D content. *cries*

DUDE!!! Please tell me I can have that in 1920x1080. I would love that as a Wallpaper.

Sure, but the aspect ratio doesn't match so it may look a bit distorted at 1920x1080. You can download my wallpaper version at http://webzoom.freewebs.com/takoyakida/freebies/wet-leaf-wallpaper.jpg
Thank you SO MUCH!! I'll see if I can get it if I run it through PS. I might need to crop it a little, That does not matter. THIS IS ART!!! You have a great EYE for this stuff. I hope to "all get out/Powers that be" you are paid for this talent, if not now, then I so hope you are discovered VERY soon.
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Edit: I just set it to Win 7 Defaults and it looks GREAT!! Thank You again.

@Jaderail: Thank you for the encouragement. I think the main thing holding me back is my allergy to people, since it becomes hard to get discovered when I hide in my cave all day. I'm glad the wallpaper worked out! :-)

@Vaskania: Glad you like it. I had a little help from my friend PS but the rain did make for a good opportunity to photograph something more interesting than normal. :)

@pumeco: Now if only I could get myself to start traveling around the state to increase the variety of subject matter. ;-)

@pumeco: Now if only I could get myself to start traveling around the state to increase the variety of subject matter. ;-)

Heheh, well if only I could advance beyond the bedroom and garden that would be something.
I was in pretty much the same situation as you the other day, bored senseless!

I found myself just grabbing the camera and snapping for the sake of it, walking around in circles generally teasing the dog and annoying my sister who was hoping to sunbathe in peace. Ended up with a pic of the garden and the dog sat on my sisters knee, that's it. Of course I'd much rather be photographing some beautiful women in sensual poses.

Still, just as well I can't afford the fees, otherwise I'd probably just freeze!

@pumeco: Now if only I could get myself to start traveling around the state to increase the variety of subject matter. ;-)
Heheh, well if only I could advance beyond the bedroom and garden that would be something.
I was in pretty much the same situation as you the other day, bored senseless!

I found myself just grabbing the camera and snapping for the sake of it, walking around in circles generally teasing the dog and annoying my sister who was hoping to sunbathe in peace. Ended up with a pic of the garden and the dog sat on my sisters knee, that's it. Of course I'd much rather be photographing some beautiful women in sensual poses.

Still, just as well I can't afford the fees, otherwise I'd probably just freeze!

Maybe Playboy would hire you. :P

I'd apply but I would probably faint too much to get hired. I'm sensitive like that. :(

I like your cat pictures. Maybe if you can take enough of them you can make cat textures. ;-)

Thanks Miss B. :)

I thought about doing cat textures, I suppose I could try but I don't know what the market is like for them. Plus I have no idea how to get the photos into properly-sized textures that wrap around the figure.